Assignment

A bold program of large-scale environmental graphics was created for the United States headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline, the global pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare company. Located in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard, the innovative “smart” workspace is 100 percent mobile—no one has an assigned desk, not even the company president—and the iconic graphics help foster a spirit of connection for a new collaborative way of working.

The designers worked closely with GlaxoSmithKline and Francis Cauffman, the building’s interior architects, to develop the graphics for the unique, 208,000 square foot offices. Conceived as a healthy and sustainable headquarters for a company with well being as its focus, the modern, contemporary interiors are open and loft-like, with a series of gathering spaces that include shared work stations, team tables and meeting areas.

Approach

A series of large-scale graphics were designed for the space, inspired by the idea of connections, with dot-to-dot networks forming images that convey a dynamic sense of community and suggest collaboration, interaction and creativity.

The collaborative focus extends to the materials. Many of the graphic surfaces use magnetic dry-erase wall coverings, so teams can write and post on them during brainstorming sessions. The bold and contemporary colors of the program have been coordinated with the overall palette for the interiors, including the furnishings, interior finishes and wall coverings.

Results

The client was incredibly pleased with the results and the offices were even honored with an International Interior Design Association Award in 2013.